Sports Events Southern California 2019

Also known as the Indian Wells Masters, the two-week tennis tournament is held every March in the Coachella Valley. Owned by Oracle C.T.O. Larry Ellison, the event is one of the largest on both the men’s and women’s tour, and is the most-attended tennis tournament in the world other than the four Majors. Matches get televised on ESPN and the Tennis Channel; Dominic Thiem and Bianca Andreescu were crowned singles champions in 2019. Next: March 9-22, 2020

The race course for the Skechers-sponsored event runs from Dodger Stadium to the Santa Monica Pier, a scenic route that makes the marathon a destination for traveling athletes. About 24,000 runners from 50 states and more than 67 countries participate in the race, which wrapped up its latest edition in March. Next: March 8, 2020

North America’s longest-running major street race is held every spring in Long Beach. In April, the 45th edition drew more than 187,000 spectators, a one percent increase from last year’s record-setting attendance. The IndyCar Series race covers nearly two miles surrounding the Long Beach Convention Center, and Alexander Rossi took home the title. Acura served as the new title sponsor this year, ending Toyota’s 39-year run. Next: April 17-19, 2020

Held in Huntington Beach, the nine-day event brings together the world’s top surfers, skateboarders, and BMX-ers. In partnership with the World Surf League and owner IMG, along with title sponsor Vans, the annual event is one of the biggest sports festivals in the world, drawing about a half-million people every year. Related events include a kids-only surf party that raises money for the local Y.M.C.A., as well as a village featuring art exhibitions and creative workshops. Next: July 27-August 4, 2019

The 26th annual ceremony celebrating the best in sports had a major female presence in the wake of the #MeToo movement. Danica Patrick was the show’s first female host, and ESPN awarded the Arthur Ashe Award for Courage to the female survivors of sexual abuse by former U.S.A. Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar. 2018 Winter Olympics breakout star Chloe Kim won best female athlete, while Alexander Ovechkin won best male athlete. Next: July 2019
See more: How ESPY Awards Week Merged Substantive Messaging With High Style

Up from #7
In just four years, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation’s annual gala has become a must-attend event among sports fans and philanthropists. Taking place at Dodger Stadium, the sold-out benefit drew 1,700 guests in 2018 and raised $2.2 million, up from $1.5 million the year before; it featured a performance by John Legend, and was emceed by Arsenio Hall and George Lopez. Bruno Mars will perform at the 2019 event next month. Proceeds from the gala will help the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation reach its goal of building 50 baseball fields in underserved communities. Next: June 12, 2019 See more: 24 Unique Event Ideas From Spring Benefits

The Tour de France-style cycling road race known as the Amgen Tour of California is created and presented by AEG. Top pros in men’s and women’s categories from around the world compete along a demanding course along hundreds of miles of California highways, byways, and coastlines each spring. This year marks the 14th edition of the race; it runs this week, through May 18. Next: Spring 2020

Sponsored by the San Diego County Credit Union, the post-season college football game has been played annually since 1978 and draws some 65,000 attendees. The latest match-up saw the Northwestern Wildcats defeat the Utah Utes in the 41st edition of the game, which is televised each year. The bowl generated more than $75 million in economic benefit for the San Diego region in 2018. Next: December 2019

The old Los Angeles Open—previously known as the Northern Trust Open and the Nissan Open—is one of the longest-running tournaments on the P.G.A. Tour, dating back to 1926. Hosted by the Tiger Woods Foundation, the golf event takes place at Riviera Country Club and is considered a social event as well, with opportunities to mingle with top golfers plus hospitality suites, food trucks, and wine decks. J.B. Holmes won the tournament in 2019. Starting in 2020, the event will be elevated to the status of “invitational” tournament, which will lead to more prize money and fewer competitors. Next: February 2020

The marathon begins in Downtown Long Beach, and runners head toward the historic Queen Mary and then through Shoreline Village. Participants continue adjacent to the Pacific Ocean on the scenic flat beach path. In addition to the main event, related events also include a half marathon, a run/walk, a bike tour, a kids’ fun run, a health and fitness expo, and a finish-line festival. JetBlue is the title sponsor. Next: October 11-13, 2019

The P.G.A. Tour tournament in La Quinta is now known as the Desert Classic; it has previously been named the CareerBuilder Challenge and the Bob Hope Classic. Desert Classic Charities, the charitable entity that organizes the Workday-sponsored event, has contributed more than $60 million to a variety of Coachella Valley charitable organizations and the Eisenhower Medical Center. The 2019 edition, the tournament’s 60th anniversary, added a 12,000-square-foot hospitality pavilion. Next: January 15-19, 2020